Edward J. Perkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward J. Perkins
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| United States Ambassador to Australia | |
| In office November 24, 1993 – July 19, 1996 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Mel Sembler |
| Succeeded by | Genta H. Holmes |
| 19th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office May 12, 1992 – January 27, 1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Thomas R. Pickering |
| Succeeded by | Madeleine Albright |
| Director General of the Foreign Service | |
| In office September 22, 1989 – May 7, 1992 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | George S. Vest |
| Succeeded by | Genta H. Holmes |
| United States Ambassador to South Africa | |
| In office November 27, 1986 – May 22, 1989 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Herman W. Nickel |
| Succeeded by | William L. Swing |
| United States Ambassador to Liberia | |
| In office August 28, 1985 – October 22, 1986 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | William L. Swing |
| Succeeded by | James Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Joseph Perkins
June 8, 1928 Sterlington, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 7, 2020 (aged 92) Washington D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Lucy Chen-mei Liu |
| Children | Katherine Perkins, Sarah Perkins |
| Education | University of Maryland, University College (BA) University of Southern California (MPA, DPA) |
Edward Joseph Perkins (born June 8, 1928 – died November 7, 2020) was an American diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. Perkins served as the U.S. Ambassador to several countries, including Liberia, South Africa, the United Nations, and Australia. He also led the U.S. State Department's group of diplomats.
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Early Life and Education
Edward Perkins was born in Sterlington, Louisiana. He grew up on his grandparents' farm in Haynesville, Louisiana. His grandmother believed that learning was very important for his future. She encouraged him to get an education instead of working on the farm.
Perkins later moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and then to Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland in 1947. During this time, he became interested in becoming a diplomat. He attended a meeting where several foreign officials spoke.
He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1967. Later, he received his master's degree and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California. He was also a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Career in Public Service
Edward Perkins was eager to see the world. He joined the United States Army and served for three years. After a short time as a civilian, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served for four years in places like Japan, Hawaii, and South Korea. This experience made him interested in studying Eastern philosophy.
Joining the Foreign Service
In 1971, Perkins passed the exam to join the Foreign Service. This is a group of people who work for the U.S. government in other countries. He continued his education, earning his master's degree in 1972 and a doctorate in 1978. Both degrees were in public administration.
Perkins noticed that black members of the Foreign Service needed more support. He helped start the Thursday Luncheon Group with John W.H. Gravely. This group met weekly to support and speak up for black officers. Today, it has over 300 members. Perkins also encouraged members to talk to the Congressional Black Caucus. They asked for programs to help recruit more people from minority groups. This led to the creation of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. This fellowship helps prepare young people for careers in diplomacy.
Serving as an Ambassador
Perkins became the ambassador to Liberia in 1985. This was less than a year after Samuel Doe took control of the country. Perkins said his job was to keep Americans in Liberia safe. He also worked to help the country become stable again.
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed Perkins as ambassador to South Africa. This was a difficult job. South Africa had a system called Apartheid. Apartheid was a strict system of racial separation and discrimination. Many black civil rights leaders, like the Rev. Jesse Jackson, advised Perkins not to take the job. However, Perkins decided to accept. He felt it was his duty, and he believed he could make a difference.
During his time in South Africa, Perkins worked to improve communication between different racial groups. He held events where people of all backgrounds could meet. He visited towns and villages and attended church services. He earned the trust of black activists by speaking out against the apartheid government. For example, he attended the Delmas Treason Trial, which showed his support for those fighting against apartheid.
Leading the Foreign Service
Perkins left South Africa in 1989. He became the Director General of the Foreign Service. He was the first African-American to hold this important position. In this role, Perkins worked to make the Foreign Service more diverse. He said that the organization used to be mostly white, male, and from Ivy League schools. He worked hard to hire more people of color, women, and people from different backgrounds. During his time, the Foreign Service even hired its first blind officer, Avraham Rabby.
Later Diplomatic Roles
Perkins continued to work for the State Department until 1992. Then, he became the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He also represented the U.S. on the United Nations Security Council. In 1993, he was appointed ambassador to Australia. He served there until 1996, when he retired. He held the high rank of Career Minister in the U.S. Foreign Service.
After retiring, he taught at the University of Oklahoma. He was a Senior Vice Provost Emeritus of International Programs. He was also a Professor Emeritus in the School of International and Area Studies. He was a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy.
In 2006, Perkins published his memoir, Mr. Ambassador, Warrior for Peace. A memoir is a book about a person's life experiences.
Perkins moved to Washington, DC in 2007. His wife, Lucy Cheng-Mei Liu, passed away in 2009. Edward Perkins died on November 7, 2020, after a stroke.
Personal Life
After leaving the Marine Corps, Perkins worked for the Army and Air Forces Exchange Services in Taiwan. There, he met Lucy Ching-mei Liu, who would become his wife. Lucy's family was traditional and did not want her to marry an American. So, Edward and Lucy decided to get married secretly in Taipei in 1962. They had two daughters, Katherine and Sarah Perkins, and four grandchildren.
Writings
- Mr. Ambassador, Warrior for Peace (memoirs), published in 2006.
- The Palestinian Refugees: Old Problems - New Solutions (co-editor), 2002.
- The Middle East Peace Process: Vision Versus Reality (co-editor), 2002.
- Palestinian Refugees: Traditional Positions and New Solutions (co-editor), 2001.
- The seedlings of hope: U.S. policy in Africa, 1989.
